The Odisha government plans to allocate Rs 1,001 crore in the next two years under its Comprehensive Cancer Service (CCS) to offer the best cancer care and treatment at an affordable price.

The state is witnessing a faster-than-expected increase in the number of cancer patients, posing a threat to the healthcare system.

P.K. Jena, the Odisha chief secretary, announced, -

"The state government has allocated Rs 1,001.14 crore under the CCS project to establish cancer care units close to the houses of patients. The entire budget will be utilized within the next two years, following its approval by the cabinet."

Jena stated that cancer care units will be established at various locations, including Bargarh District Headquarters Hospital (DHH), Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Science and Research (VIMSAR) in Burla, Saheed Laxman Nayak Medical College and Hospital in Koraput, Maharaja Krushna Chandra Gajapati Medical College and Hospital (MKCG) in Berhampur, Saheed RendoMajhi Medical College and Hospital in Bhawanipatna, Bhim Bhoi Medical College and Hospital in Bolangir, Pandit Raghunath Murmu Medical College and Hospital in Baripada, Fakir Mohan Medical College and Hospital in Balasore, Dharanidhar Medical College and Hospital in Keonjhar, Government Medical College and Hospital in Talcher, and Capital Hospital in Bhubaneswar.

The state government will equip each cancer care unit with 50-100 beds, operation theatres, and ICUs, in addition to chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and palliative care units.

Jena further added -

“Posts of specialists, super-specialists and technical staff will be created as regular cadre under the state government to provide uninterrupted services at these facilities.”

Furthermore, the Odisha government has partnered with Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai, to establish a cancer hospital on the campus of the National Institute of Science Education and Research (NISER) in Jatni, near Bhubaneswar.

Mindtree co-founder and former chairman of Odisha Skill Development Authority Subroto Bagchi is supporting the establishment of another cancer hospital. Bhubaneswar and Cuttack have over 15 hospitals that offer treatment to cancer patients.

According to a survey, oral, gastric, and lung cancers are the most common among men, whereas breast, cervix, ovary, gastric, and gall bladder cancers are more prevalent among women.